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David Morgan, President of Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited, has announced his intention to retire, effective May 31st, 1999.
His successor will be Geoff Polites, Dealer Principal of City Ford in Sydney and most recently Chairman of the Ford Dealer Council.
David Morgan, 60, was appointed President of Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited in November 1995.
He was elected President of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in May 1996.
As FCAI President he has taken the lead on behalf of the industry as a whole, through the challenges of the tariff debate and ACIS, promoting the industry as a major manufacturing and knowledge resource, vital to the long-term strength of Australian manufacturing.
He is also Chairman of the Sports Export Advisory Council and a Governor of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.
Mr Morgan has also taken a pro-active role for the City of Geelong, Ford Australia's manufacturing base, serving as Ambassador to the Greater City of Geelong, Chairman of the Boulevard Project Community Committee and member of both the University of Deakin Council and the Geelong Development Board.
Mr Morgan joined Ford Australia in 1959 as a graduate trainee after completing a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne.
His career experience in Ford has covered market research, sales, marketing, regional and divisional management.
From 1968 to 1983 he progressed through the positions of Vehicle Marketing Manager, Southern Region Manager, Truck Sales and Marketing Manager and National Sales Manager.
In 1983 he was appointed Staff Director – Sales and Marketing for Ford Asia-Pacific, then based in Melbourne.
In 1985 he was appointed to the position of Director of Sales Operations for Ford Lio Ho in Taiwan.
He returned to Ford Australia in September 1987 as General Parts and Service Manager and was appointed Vice President Sales and Marketing in 1991.
Married with one daughter, David was born in Sydney, is a former rugby player, and is now a keen golfer.
"David has made a significant contribution, not only to the company, but also to the communities it serves," said Jac Nasser, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ford Motor Company.
"Commitment to the greater community is a fundamental responsibility of any Ford senior executive and David has guided and encouraged his team at Ford Australia to support environmental, conservation and safety issues both locally and nationally.
"During David's term as President, the company has achieved significant quality and cost improvements. He has overseen Falcon's reintroduction to the South African market, boosting export levels.
"David has also actively promoted a diverse management group, leading to an improved customer focus and an increased level of corporate and community initiatives.
"Most recently he has led the launch of the new AU Falcon, Ford's flagship in Australia, at target cost, quality, investment and sales levels.
"He will officiate next month at the opening of the Ford Discovery Centre, Australia's first interactive, educational motoring museum.
"David and I are old team mates from Ford Australia. He has served the company, both in Australia and overseas, for 40 years and well deserves a long and happy retirement.
"His work on a new market representation plan to achieve renewed Ford strength, lower investment levels and greater customer satisfaction will serve Ford Australia well into the future.
"I know all at Ford Australia will join me in wishing both David and his wife Miranda all the very best for the future."
Mr Nasser went on to say that the appointment of Geoff Polites as David Morgan's successor would build on the work already put in place by the company on new levels of customer service.
"Geoff has extensive experience, both within the company and over the last ten years at Ford's most successful dealership in Australia.
"His knowledge and understanding of the market's needs will bring a new consumer focus to our entire operation.
"Geoff will spend the next six weeks in Detroit with me, as part of the Ford Global Leadership Team. We'll be looking to him for a specific emphasis on consumer issues.
"We're delighted to have Geoff on board. His appointment is in line with a number of other senior appointments we've made internationally, bringing external experience in to the company and concentrating our efforts on the customer.
"I'm very confident that Geoff Polites is the man to lead Ford Australia into a new era of competitiveness, efficiency and customer value."
Mr Polites is expected to take up his appointment on May 1st, 1999.
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